Apparatus for casting or molding pottery and like articles



Nov. 2o, 1923. 1,474,432

vJ. F'. GIMSON APPARATUS FOR CASTING OR MOLDING POTTERY AND LIKEARTICLES Filed Nov. 25, 1922 Z'Sheet's-Shee; l-

Nov. 2U 1923. EAMABZ J. F. GlMsoN APPARATUS FOR CASTING OR MOLDINGPOTTERY AND LIKEVAR'IIICLES Filed Nov. 25, 3.922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 [52,QfM/SSM Zarnefs Patented Nov. 20, i923.

PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH FORSYTH GIMSON, OF NEWCASTLEENGLAND, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TOCLOSE BROTHERS & COMPANY LIMITED, OF LONDON, ENGLAND, A COMPANY OF GREATBRITAIN.

APPARATUS FOR -CASTING OR MOLDIN G POTTERY AND LIKE ARTICLES.

Application filed November 25, 1922. Serial No. 603,210.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH Fonsr'rn GiMsoN, subject of the King ofEngland, and residing at Newcastle, Staffordshire, in England, haveinvented certain new and use? ful Improvements in Apparatus for Castinor Moldin which the ollowing is a specification.

This invention relates-to an apparatus for casting or molding potteryand like articles from clay slip or the like and has for its object toeffect such casting in a more eX- peditious and efficient manner.

In the method carriedout by the appara` tus accordin to the presentinvention the clay slip or like material is caused to pass through ahollow rotatable shaft and a hollow arm radiating therefrom to a mouldof plaster or other absorbent or porous material, so that the moistureis removed from the slip and absorbed into the moulds under the actionof the centrifugal force set up by the rotation of the apparatus. Theapparatus may comprise a mould of absorbent or porous material mountedon the outer end of each of a number of hollow arms radiating from arhollow rotatable shaft, the interlor of each hollow arm being incommunication with the interior of the shaft. The hollow arms maconveniently be formed as the spokes o one or more wheels mounted on theshaft, the moulds, which are preferably detachable, being carried onflats on the rims of the wheels adjacent to the ends of the spokes. Eachwheel rim may thus have a polygonal form and may carry, say, twentyfourmoulds.

The invention may be carried into practice in a number of ways but apreferred construction employing a single wheel is illustrated by way ofexample in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a sideelevation of the apparatus,

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the mould,

Figure 3 is a side elevation of a modified construction of apparatus,and

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a modified form of mould.

In the construction shown in Figures 1 and 2, the hollow shaft A ismounted in suitable bearings B B, and carries a wheel comprising anumber of hollow spokes C and Pottery and like Articles, of

a rim D. A tube C is mountedv within each spoke C in such a manner thatit is permanently in communication with the interior of the hollow shaftA. A die or former E of suitable material such as iron is secured by itsflange E to the rim D of the wheel and is provided with a centralpassage E2, which vthus forms a continuation of the tube C.

This passa e E2 is controlled b a non-return valve E? of suitable type.lvhe plaster mould G is disposed on the wheel rim D outside the formerE. and is held thereto by means of a plate H and bolts H H2. The plate His convenientl pivoted about the bolt H', so that when t e retainingnuts H3 are released the plate may be swung clear of the mould G. Thisarrangement allows the mould to be quickly and easily removed from thewheel when the casting operation 1s completed, and replaced by a freshmould.

The clay slip is fed Ainto the hollow shaft A by means of a feed pump(not shown in Figure l but arranged in a manner similar to that shown inFigure 8) attached at one end A of the shaft, a gland A2 being providedto prevent the slip from escaping along the outside of the shaft. Itthen passes through the shaft A and the tubes C past the valves F intothe moulds G. Small grooves E3 are provided in the flange E of theformer E to allow the escape of air from the interior of the mould. Thesupply of slip is continued until the moulds are full and slip begins toescape through the grooves E3. The feed pump is then cut off, and therotation of the machine started. The shaft A may be driven by anysuitable means such for example as by means of a belt on the pulley A3.During the rotation the slip in the mould G is thrown centrifugallyoutwards against the mould, and the plaster, of which the mould isconstructed, absorbs the water and leaves the clay in a semi-solidsta-te pressed tightly the machine, it is desirable to provide anexhaust pump (not shown in Figure 1 but arranged in a manner similar tothat shown in Figure 3) at the other end A? of the shaft A. This exhaustpump is brought into operation shortly before or about the same time asthe rotation of the machine is started, and serves to draw out the surlus slip from the shaft A and the tubes The non-return valves F preventtheslip from being withdrawn from the moulds G by the exhaust pump. Anair valve C2 is provided in each spoke C to revent the formation of avacuum in the tu e C when the exhaust pump is working. The exhaust pumpis cut ofas soon as the surplus slip has been removed.

If desired, the die or former E may be allowed a little lay so that itwill be able to move outwardly through a small distance under the actionof centrifugal force, so as to press against a washer of rubber or othersuitable material disposed between the flange of the former and themould. This small movement may be necessary to assist in removing themoisture from the casting when materials are used which are of such anature as to prevent the moisture from pass- -ing readily into theabsorbent moulds.-

Means ma also be provided for heating the farmers for exampleelectrically or by means of steam, to assist in the drying of themoulds. The space between the casing of the valve F and the wall of theformer ma be utilized for this purpose.

or the casting of symmetrical articles, means may be provided ifdesired, for rotating the moulds about their own axes. This additionalrotation may be imparted to the moulds in anysuitable manner, as forexample by means of bevel gearing driven by the main shaft.

Such an arrangement is shown in Figure 3. In this figure the hollowshaft K, which is constructed in a manner similar to that `described forthe shaft A in Figure l, is

mounted in bearings K and is driven by means of a belt on the pulley K2.The moulds L, of which any suitable number may be employed, two beingshown in the drawings, are rotatably mounted on the rim their own axesis produced by means of.

bevel wheels P rotatably mounted on the wheel rim M, each mould beingconnected to the corresponding bevel wheel P so as to rotate therewith.The teeth of the wheels P engage with those of a bevel wheel P looselymounted on the shaft K and fixed to the frame of the machine by means ofbolts P2. Thus as the shaft K rotates the bevel wheels P, and thereforealso the moulds L, are rotated about their own axes in addition torotating about the axis of the shaft K.

Figures 3 and 4 are also employed to illustrate a further modificationin which an air former is employed. This arrangement may be combined, asAshown in Fi ure 3, with mechanism for imparting an ad itional rotationabout their own axes to the moulds,

or may be employed independently of such mechanism if desired.

An air compressor Q, or other source of compressed air is connected upto the same end of the shaft K as the slip exhaust pump O and isprovided with a valvey Q. by means of which it may be cut offtherefrom'. The details of one of the moulds and its associated partsare shown somewhat diagrammatically in Figure 4.r The mould L is shownmounted directly on a projection M on the rim M of the wheel, but itmust be understood thatif bevel wheels P P are employed, as in Figure 3,the`mould will be mounted on the bevel wheel P. A hollow spoke Rcontaining an inner tube R connects the hollow shaft K to the rim M at apoint adjacent to the mould L. The general arrangement of these parts issubstantially the same as that described in connection with Figures land 2. In this construction, however, the die or former S is separatedfrom the rim M by means of springs S surrounding bolts S2. The former Scan thus move away from the mould through a short distance. Mountedwithin the former S is a valve casing T containing a non-return v'alve Twhich controls a passage T2 T3 leading from the hollow spoke Rto theinterior of the mould L. A ring or Washer U engages with the surface ofthe former S so as to prevent the escape of slip when the former moves.The former is also provided with a 1packing ring V which presses againstthe wa l of the projection M of ythe rim M.-

The operation of the constructions shown in Figures 3 and 4 is verysimilar to that already described for Figures l and 2 and will only bedescribed in detail where it dif-y fers therefrom. The clay slipv isadmitted by the pump N into the hollow shaft K and passes thence intothe spokes R and past the valves T into the moulds L. When the mouldsare full the pump N is cut off and the rotation of the machine started,the exhaust pump O being brought into operation to remove the slip fromthe shaft K and the spokes R. The valves T prevent the removal of slipfrom the moulds L. When this surplus slip has been removed the pump 0 iscut of and the valve Q opened to admit air-under hi h pressure intothe'interior of the machine. This compressed a1r lows past the valves Tinto the moulds L,

'and gradually forces the formers S away from the moulds la ainst theaction of the springs S. The air then itself acts as a former until thecasting o eration is completed. If bevel wheels P are employed as shownin Figure 3, the moulds are glven a rotation about their own axes inaddition to their rotation ,about the axis of the shaft K. f

It will be understood that the constructions illustrated are given byway of example only, and that modifications other than thosespecifically described may be made without departing from the scope ofthe invention.v Thus for example a number of wheels each carrying mouldsmay be mounted on the sameshaft, or again the portions of the rim of awheel between the moulds may be out away, so that the wheels consist ofspokes carrying moulds on their outer ends.

What l claim as my invention and desire -to secure by Letters Patent isl. Apparatus for casting or molding pottery and like articles includingin combination a hollow rotatable shaft, a hollow arm radiatingtherefrom and having its interior in communication with the interior ofthe shaft, an absorbent mould carried by the hollow arm, means forsupplying the material to be treated to the interior of the shaft andthence through the hollow arm to the mould, and means for rotating theshaft, the moisture being removed from the material and absorbed intothe mould under the action of the centrifugal force se-t up by therotation of the apparatus as set forth.

2. Apparatus for casting or molding pottery and like articles includingin combination a hollow rotatable shaft, a plurality of hollow armsradiating therefrom, an absorbent mould mounted on the outer end of eachhollow arm and communicating therethrough with the interior of thehollow shaft, means for rotating the shaft, and means for supplying thematerial to be treated through the shaft and the hollow 4arms to themoulds, the moisture being removed fromvthe material and absorbed intothe moulds under the action of the centrifugal force set up by therotation of the apparatus ,as set forth.

3. Apparatus for casting or molding pottery and like articles includingin combination a hollow rotatable shaft, at least one wheel mountedthereon and comprising a rim and a number of hollow spokes, an absorbentmould detachably mounted on the wheel rim opposite to the end of eachhollow spoke and communicating therethrough with the interior of thehollow shaft, means for rotating the shaft, and means for supplying clayslip through the shaft andthe spokes to the moulds, the moisture beingremoved from the slip and absorbed into the moulds under the action ofthe centrifugal force set up by the rotation of the apparatus as setforth.

4. Apparatus for casting or molding pottery ,and like articles includingin combination a hollow rotatable shaft. a hollow arm radiatingtherefrom and having its interior in communication with the interior ofthe shaft, an absorbent mould carried by the hollow arm,a former mountedon the end of the hollow arm within the mould, means for supplying thematerial to be treated to the interior of the shaft and thence throughthe hollow arm to the mould, and means for rotating the shaft, themoisture being removed from the material and absorbed into the mouldunder the action of the centrifugal force set up by the rotation of theapparatus as set forth.

5. Apparatus for casting or molding pottery and like articles includingin combination a hollow rotatable shaft, a plurality of hollow armsradiating therefrom, an absorbent mould `detachably carried on the outerend of each hollow arm and communieating therethrough with the interiorof the hollow shaft, a former mounted on each hollow arm withinthecorresponding mould, means for rotating the shaft, and means forsupplying the material to be treated through the shaft and the hollowarms to the moulds, the moisture being removed from the material andabsorbed into the moulds under the action of the centrifugal force setup by the rotation of the apparatus as set forth.

6. Apparatus for casting or molding pottery and like articles includingin combinanation a hollow rotatable shaft, at least one wheel mountedthereon and comprising a rim and a number of hollow spokes, an absorbentmould detachably mounted on the wheel rim opposite to the end of eachhollow spoke and communicating therethrough with the interior ofthehollow shaft. a former mounted on the outer end of each hollow spoke anddisposed within the corresponding mould, means for rotating the shaft,and means for supplying clay slip through the shaft and the spokes tothe moulds, the moisture being removed fromy the slip and absorbed intothe moulds under the action of the centrifugal force set up by therotation of the apparatus as set forth.

7. Apparatus for casting or molding pottery and like articles includingin combination a hollow rotatable shaft, a hollow arm radiatingtherefrom and having its interior in'communication with the interior ofthe shaft, an absorbent mould carried by the hollow arm, means forsupplying the material to be treated to the interior of the shaft andthence through the hollow arm to the mould, means for rotating theshaft, a nonreturn valve controlling the supply of material through thehollow arm to the mould, and means for exhausting the surplus materialcontained in the interior of the shaft and the arm, the moisture fromthe material left in the mould being removed and absorbed into the mould-under the action of the centrifugal force set up by the rotation of theapparatus as set forth.

8. Apparatus for casting or molding pottery and like articles includingin combination a hollow rotatable Shaft, at least one wheel mountedthereon and comprising a rim and a number of hollow spokes, an absorbentmould deta'chably mounted on the wheel rim opposite to the end of eachhollow spoke and communicating therethrough with the interior of thehollow shaft, means for rotating the shaft, means for supplying clayslip through the shaft and the spokes to the moulds, a non-return valvecontrolling the low of slip to each mould, and means for exhausting thesurplus slip contained in the interior of the shaft and the hollowspokes,

the moisture from the slip left in the moulds being` removed therefromand absorbed into the moulds under the action of the centrifugal forceset up by the rotation of the apparatus as set forth.

9. Apparatus for casting or molding pottery and like articles includingin combination a hollow rotatable shaft, a plurality of hollow armsradiating therefrom, an absorbent mould mounted on the outer end 0f eachhollow arm and communicating therethrough withthe interio'r of thehollow shaft, means for rotating the shaft, a'feed pump serving tosupplyA clay slip through the shaft and the hollow arms to the moulds, anon-return valve controlling the flow of slip to each mould, andanlexhaust pump serving to remove the surplus slip contained within thehollow shaft and the arms, the moisture from the slip left in the mouldsbeing-removed therefrom and absorbed into the moulds under the action ofthe cent-rifugal force set up by the rotation of the apparatus as setforth.

10. Apparatus for casting or molding pottery andlike articles includingin combination a hollow rotatable shaft, at least one wheel mountedthereon and comprising a `rim and a number of hollow spokes, anahsorbent mould detachably mounted on the wheel rim opposite to the endof each hollow spoke and communicating therethrough with the interior ofthe' hollow shaft, a former mounted on the outer end of 4each hollowspoke and disposed within the corresponding mould each former beingprovided with a central passage, means for rotating the shaft, a feedpump serving to supply clay slip to oneA end of the hollow shaft andthence through the hollow spokes to the moulds, a non-return valvedisposed within the central passage in each former, and an exhaust pumpconnected to the other end of the hollow shaft and serving to removesurplus slip from the interior of the shaft and the hollow spokes assetjforth.

11. Apparatus for casting or molding pottery and like articles includingin combinationy a hollow rotatable shaft, a hollow arm radiatingtherefrom and having its interior iu communication with the interior ofthe shaft, an absorbent mould carried by the hollow arm, means forsupplying the material to be treated to the interior of the shaft andthence through the hollow arm to the mould, means for rotating theshaft, and means for imparting to the mould an additional rotation aboutits own axis as set forth.

12. Apparatus for casting or molding' pottery and like articlesincluding in combination a hollow rotatable shaft, a plurality of hollowarms radiating therefrom, an absorbent mould mounted on the outer end ofeach hollow arm and communicating therethrough with the interior of thehollow shaft, means for rotating the shaft, means for imparting to eachmould an additional rotation about its own axis, and means for supplyingthe material to be treated through the shaft and the hollow arms to themoulds as set forth. Y

13. Apparatus for casting or molding pottery and like articles includingin combination a hollow rotatable shaft, at least one wheel mountedthereon and comprising a rim and a number of hollow spokes, an absorbentmould detachably mounted on the wheel rim opposite to the end of eachhollow spoke and communicating therethrough with the interior of thehollow shaft, a former mounted on the outer end of each hollow spoke anddisposed within'the corresponding mould, means for rotating the shaft,means for imparting to each mould an additionalrotation about its ownaxis, and means for supplying clay slip through the shaft and the spokesto the moulds as set forth.

14. Apparatus for casting or molding pottery and like articles includingin combination a hollow rotatable. shaft. a hollow arm radiatingtherefrom and having its interior in communication with the interior ofthe shaft, an absorbent mould carried by the hollow arm, means forsupplying the material to be treated to the interior of the shaft andthence through the hollow arm to the mould, means for rotating theshaft, means for imparting to the mould an additional rotation about itsown axis, a nonreturn valvel controlling the supply of material throughthe hollow arm to the mould` and means for exhausting the surplusmaterial conta-ined in the interior of the shaft and the arm as setforth.

15. A` aratus for casting or molding pottery andulike articles inclu ingin combination a hollow rotatable shaft, at least one wheel mountedthereon and comprising a rim and a number of hollow spokes, a bevelwheel rotatably mounted on the wheel rim opposite the end of each hollowspoke, an absorbent mould detachably mounted on the bevel wheel oppositeto the end of each hollow spoke and communicating through the hollowspokes with the interior of the hollow shaft, means for rotating theshaft, means for supplying clay slip through the shaft and the spokes tothe moulds, a fixed bevel wheel which engages with the'bevel wheelsmounted on the ends of the hollow spokes thereby imparting to each mouldan additional rotation about its own axis as set forth. l

16. Apparatus for casting or moldin pottery and like articles includingin com ination a hollow rotatable shaft, a hollow arm radiatingtherefrom and having its interior in communication vwith the interior ofthe shaft, an absorbent mould carried by the hollow arm, means forsupplying the material to be treated to the interior of the shaft andthence through the hollow arm to the mould, means for rotating theshaft, and means for supplyin compressed air to the interior of the mo dto act as an air former therein, the moisture being removed from thematerial and absorbed into the mould under the action of the centrifugalforce set up by the rotation of the apparatus as set forth.

17. Apparatus for casting or molding pottery and like articles includingin combination a hollow rotatable shaft, at least one wheel mountedthereon and comprising a rim and a number of hollow spokes, an absorbentmould detachably mounted on the wheel rim opposite to the end of eachhollow spoke and communicating therethrough with the interior of thehollow shaft, means for rotating the shaft, means for supplying clayslip through the shaft and the spokes to the moulds, and means forsupplying compressed air to the interior of the moulds to act as an airformer therein, the moisture being removed from the slipand absorbedinto the moulds under the action of the centrifugal force set up by therotation of the apparatus as set forth,

18. Apparatus for casting or molding pottery and like articles includingin combination a hollow rotatable shaft, a hollow arm radiatingtherefrom and having its interior in communication with the interior ofthe shaft, an absorbent mould carried by the hollow arm, means forsupplyin the material to be treated to the interioro the shaft andthence through the hollow arm to the mould, means for rotating theshaft, a non-return valve controlling the supply of material through thehollowl arm to the mould, means for exhausting the surplus materialcontained in the interior of the shaft and the arm, and means forsupplyin compressed air to the interior of the mou ds after the surplusmaterial has been exhausted this compressed air acting as an air formerin the moulds as set forth.

19. Apparatus for casting or molding` pottery and like articlesincluding in combination a hollow rotatable shaft, a plurality of hollowarms radiating therefrom, an absorbent mould mounted on the outer endofeach hollow arm and communicating therethrough with the interior of thehollow shaft, means for rotating the shaft, a feed pum serving to supplyclay slip throu h the s aft and the hollow arms to the moul s, anon-return valve controlling the flo'w of slip to each mould, an exhaustpump serving to remove the surplus slip contained within the hollowshaft and the arms, an air compressor serving `to supply compressed airthrough the hollow shaft to the moulds to act as an air formerl thereinlas set forth.

20. Apparatus for casting or molding pottery and like articles includingin combination a hollow rotatable shaft, a plurality of hollow armsradiating therefrom, an absorbent mould mounted on the outer endof eachhollow arm and communicating herethrough withthe interior of the hollowshaft, means for rotating the shaft, means for imparting to each mouldan additional rotationV about its own axis, means for supplyingvclayslip through the shaft and the hollow arms to the moulds, and means forsupplying compressed air to the interior of the moulds to act as an airformer therein as set forth.

21. Apparatus for casting or molding pottery and like articles includingin combination a hollow rotatable shaft, a plurality of hollow armsradiating therefrom, an absorbent mould detachably carried on the outerend of each hollow arm and communicating therethrough with the interiorof the hollow shaft, a former mounted on each hollow arm within thecorresponding mould and radially movable relative to the hollow shaft,springs tending to pressA the formers outwardly towards the moulds,means for rotating the shaft, means for supplying clay slip through theshaft and the hollow arms to the moulds, and means for supplyingcompreed air to the interior of the moulds to act as an air formertherein as set forth.

22. Apparatus for casting or molding pottery and like articles includingin combination a hollow rotatable shaft, at least one wheel mountedthereon and comprising a rim and a number of hollow spokes, a bevelwheel rotatably mounted on the wheel rim opposite the end of each hollowspoke, an absorbent mould detachably mounted on the bevel wheel oppositeto the end of @och hollow spoke and communicating throh the hollowspokes with the interior of the ic ollow shaft, a former mountedv on theouter end of each hollow spoke within the corresponding mould andradially movable relative to 4the hollow shaft, springs tending to pressthe formers outwardly towards the moulds,-

means for rotating the shaft, a, feed pump -servino to supply clay slipto one end of the hollow shaft and thence through the hollow spokes tothe moulds, a, non-return valve lcontrolling the flow o slip to eachmould, an exhaust pump connected to the other end i@ of the hollow'shaft and serving to remove om the interior of the shaft on the hoow spoen nir e pipe lead from the sir comprm to the end of the "loft to whichthe exhaust pum is oonnd, and e valve controlling this pipe the mir fromthe compressor being supplied through the hollow shaft to theinterior-of the moulds so es to force the ormers inwards against theaction of the sprin and to not e compressed oir former es set forth.

In testimony whereof l lieve sied myA nome to this sicicstion.

JSEPH FUYTH GIMSON.

